LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

FIONA MCLEOD

LABOR CANDIDATE FOR HIGGINS

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

LABOR TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH IN HIGGINS

A Shorten Labor Government will invest $4 million in a new Star Health Mental Health Community Hub in Prahran.

Labor Leader in the Senate, Penny Wong said, “Labor knows that mental health is a cornerstone of wellbeing.

“Community providers like Star Health are accessible and understand the people they work with. They are a vital cog in the mental health system.

“Labor’s candidate for Higgins, Fiona McLeod, made this her number one local commitment when she was preselected. In less than three weeks, she’s delivered.

“By adding two levels, this project will provide for an additional 10,000 episodes of care for the surrounding community, which will help deliver services for community members who need help most.”

The Community Hub will provide assistance to a variety of at-risk groups including domestic violence victims, the LGBTIQ community, and those suffering from mental health issues.

The Prahran location situates the Community Hub in the middle of an already high-traffic location that will allow it to care for the people of Higgins and residents from surrounding areas throughout the south of Melbourne.

This project will be funded out of Labor’s $2.8 billion Better Hospitals Fund. The centre will create jobs in both its construction phase but more substantially through its increase in services provided.

The current facility is already a busy and popular hub that provides essential services to a wide range of people within the electorate and surrounding areas. Star Health is well regarded within the community and investment in their facilities is in-line with Labor values and campaign themes of funding proper health care services.

Three years ago, Star Health unsuccessfully engaged with the Liberals seeking their support for this project. A planning permit, plans, engineering, and approvals were all gained but no funding could be sourced.

This election is a choice between Labor’s plan for better health services and better schools, or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals.

After six years of Liberal cuts and chaos, our united Labor team is ready.